Device for printing labels



Jan. 25, 1966 w. J. sATAs DEVICE FOR PRINTING LABELS 2 Sheets-SheecI 1 Filed NOV. 7, 1962 Jan. 25, 1966 Filed NOV. '7 1962 sATAs 3,231,446

DEVICE FOR PRINTING LABELS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,231,446 DEVICE FOR PRINTING LABELS Wallace J. Satas, Hudson, Mass., assignor to Dennison Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Nevada Filed Nov. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 236,071 8 Claims. (Cl. 156-384) This invention relates particularly to a device for printing and dispensing peelable labels mounted in succession on a ribbon at spaced intervals, the labels being mounted on the ribbon with pressure-sensitive adhesive so that they may be peeled off the ribbon and applied to an article by meansv of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. Such devices involve the problem of registering each label with the printing means so that the printing is located in the same position on each label. Owing to slippage of the feeding means, shrinking and expansion of the ribbon, etc. it has not been possible to register the label with printing means continuously throughout any substantial length of ribbon. These devices also involve the problem of adjustment to labels of diierent lengths. A device built for labels of one length will not accommodate labels of a different length because the latter will not register with the printing means.

Objects of the present invention are to provide a device which produces accurate registry of each label with the printing means notwithstanding slippage, etc., which can be adjusted quickly and accurately to labels of different lengths, which is simple and economical to produce and which is durable and reliable in use.

According to this invention the device comprises drive means for feeding the ribbon along a predetermined path step by step with pauses between steps, means adjacent the aforesaid path for printing successive labels during the pauses respectively, means for actuating the aforesaid means conjointly in synchronism, means in advance ofthe printing means for successively registering the labels with the printing means, a guide between the registering means and printing means to guide the ribbon from the registering means to the printing means along an angular path, a frame upon which all of the aforesaid means are mounted, and a sub-frame detachably mounted on the frame, the aforesaid guide being mounted on the sub-frame, whereby the distance between the registering means and printing means may be adjusted to labels of different lengths by substituting a sub-frame having its guide in a different position so as to change the angularity of said angular path. Preferably the device has a platen for the printing means which is also mounted on said sub-frame. In the preferred embodiment the device has a peeling edge beyond the printing means over which the aforesaid ribbon is drawn to peel it from the labels and project the labels successively, and an applicator roll beyond the peeling edge to apply each projecting label to an article, the peeling edge and applicator roll also being mounted on the sub-frame.

In a more specific aspect the invention involves a cyclic device comprising drive means for frictionally pulling the ribbon along a predetermined path during the early part of recurrent cycles with pauses during the latter part of each cycle, means adjacent the aforesaid path for printing successive labels during the pauses respectively, means for actuating the aforesaid means conjointly in synchronism, stop means riding on the labels in advance of the printing means for successively registering the labels with the printing means, the stop means having a shoulder engageable with the leading edge of each label to cause the drive means to slip on the ribbon when a label reaches printing position, means to lift the stop from the ribbon at the end of each cycle so that the ribbon is free to advance again during the next cycle, a guide between the 3,231,446 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 ICC stop means and printing means to guide the ribbon from the stop means to the printing means along an angular path, a frame upon which all of the aforesaid means are mounted, and a sub-frame detachably mounted on the frame, the aforesaid guide being mounted on the subframe, whereby the distance between said stop means and printing means may be adjusted to labels of different lengths by substituting a sub-frame having its guide in-a different position so as to change the angularityof said angular path.

For the purposes of illustration a typical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in Which- FIG. 1 is a section on line 1-1 of device in printing position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view; FIG. 3 is a View like FIG. 1 withvarious parts omitted; FIG. 4 is a View like FIG. 3 showing the base plate replaced hy a plate for tags of different lengths and with the parts in idle position; v

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the base plate of FIG. 4 removed; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a label ribbon. The particular embodiment of the invention chosen for the purpose of illustration comprises a frame consisting of side plates 1 interconnected by a top 2 which is secured to the side plates by means of screws 3. Fast to the top 2 is the stationary part 4 of a handle including the part 6 movable from the broken-line position to the full-line position in FIG. 1. The movable handle 6 is fast to a U-shaped yoke comprising sides 7 which extend along the inner faces of the side plates 1 and are pivoted thereto by means of a shaft 10. Pivoted on a shaft 8 is a feed -roll 9 for feeding a label ribbon S which is pressed against the roll by means of a backing roll 11 actuated by spring 12 at each end thereof. Fast to one end of the feed roll 9 is a ratchet wheel 13. Pivotally mounted on the shaft 8 is an arm 14 carrying a pawl 16 which is pressed against the ratchet wheel by means of a spring 17. Fast to'thc upper end of the arm 14 is a pin 18 extending through Ya slot 19 in one of the sides 7 of the movable handle 6. 'As the handle is moved from the broken-line to the full-line position in FIG. 1 the feed roll is advanced one step by the pawl 16, the pawl sliding back over the ratchet wheel on the return stroke of the handle. Also mounted on the lower end of the arm 14 is a pin 21 for the purpose hereinafter described. j

The side plates 1 have upward extensions 22 to serve as bearings for the pinions 23 of a roll R of label ribbon such as shown in FIG. 6 comprising pressure-sensitive lavels L mounted on a ribbon S of release material from which the labels may be peeled easily. The ribbon feeds from the roll L downwardly over a guide plate 24 which is mounted on the sides 1 by means of flanges 25 and thence under a knurled roll 26 which serves to hold the ribbon against the guide plate 24. Thence the ribbon feeds under an idler roll 27, printing wheels 28 and an applicator roll 29, the rolls 27 and 29 being pivotally mounted between the side flanges 31 of a base plate 32 which serves as a platen for the printer 28. The ribbon S then feeds over a peeling edge 35, thence along the bottom of base plate 32, thence between the feed roll 9 and the backing roll 11 and thence out of the device. At the rear ends of the side flanges 31 are outwardly extending lugs 33 which snap into openings in the sides 1. Intermediate the ends of the base a pin 34 extends through the sides 1 and the side flanges 31. To remove the base it is necessary merely to remove pin 34 and Snap the lugs 33 out of the openings in the sides 1.

The printing wheels 28 are pivotally mounted between the side 7 of the movable handle 6 so as to swing from FIG. 2 showing the the idle position shown in broken lines in FIG. 4 to the printing position shown in full lines in FIG. 1 and broken lines in FIG. 3. The printing wheels 28 are set by means of a handle 36` projecting from one side of the device. When the printing wheels move to idle position they are inked by a pad 37 mounted on a U-shaped rocker arm 38 pivotally mounted on the sides 1 at 39. When the printing head moves from idle position, to printing position the inking pad is swung out of the way by means of a cam follower 41 bearing on the cam-shaped end of one of the sides 7 of the movable handle 6. Inasmuch as this printing mechanism is conventional, further description is unnecessary for the purpose of the present invention.

At itslower end the guide plate 24' has side flanges 42 iny which isy pivotally mounted the aforesaid knurled roll 26' for pressing the label ribbon against the guide. The shaft 44 of the roll 26 extends outside the frame (FIG. 2) so that the roll may be. turned by hand in. threading the device. Immediately in. advance of the roll 26 is a stop pivotally mounted on the side anges 42 by means of a shaft 45: The stop is ULSha'ped, comprising upturned ends 46 .and a crossbar 47 having a rounded shoulder 43 bearing on the label ribbon throughout the entire width of the ribbon. The stop is yieldingly pressed against the label ribbon by means of a coil spring 49. Fast to one end of the shaft 45 is a pin 51 which extends into the path of .the aforesaid pin 21 of the arm 14. When the stop bears on the label ribbon between successive labels with the shoulder 48 abutting'the leading edge of the next succeeding label, as shown in FIG. 3, the ribbon is held against .further movement in response to the frictional drive rolls 9 and 11. However when the pin 21 lifts the pin 51 tothe position shown in FIG. 4 the label ribbon is free to advance.

To adapt the-device to labels of different lengths the distance between the lines X and Y, the distance between the lines Y and Z and the distance between the lines Y and W'must be changed (FIG. 3). For this purpose a separate base 32 is provided for each label length, the different bases. having the rolls 27 and `29 and the peeling edge 35v in different locations lengthwise of the base. FIG. 3 shows a base for one label length andFIG. 4 shows a base for a shorter length of label. For the shorter labels the roll 27 is offset tothe left a distance a, the roll 29is oset to the right. a distance b and the peeling edge is offset to. the right a distance c (FIG. 4). By using base plates corresponding to different label lengths Vthe printing wheels always register with the labels and the applicator roll 29 and peeling edge are properly positionedv to function as hereinafter described.

Normally the handle 6 is in the retracted position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 and both the printing head 28 and the stop 47 are, in the retracted positions shown in FIG. 4. When the handle 6 is squeezed from the brokenline to the full-line position in FIG. l the label ribbon S is advanced by the feed roll 9 through the medium of ratchet 13 andl pawl 16. During this advance of the label ribbon the rounded-shoulder stop 47 rides over the next label on the ribbon S andsnaps into the space between that label and the next succeeding label. When the label` under the printing head is registered withthe head the stop 47 abuts the leading edge of the next succeedinglabel and holds the ribbon against further advance by the friction feed wheel` 9. While thus held at the end of the advance of the ribbon, the printing head 28 prints the labelthereunder. When the handle ,6 is returned to the idle position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 the pin 21 on arm 14 engages the pin 51 tolift the stop 47 away from the ribbon. Thus when the handle is again squeezed the ribbon is free to advance again. As the pin 21 leaves idle position at the beginning of the next cycle, the stop 47 is returned to operative position by means of the springv 49.

AS the ribbon S is peeled over the edge 3.5 the foremost label is projected under the applicator roll 29. Thus the foremost label may be applied to an article by pressing against the article with the roller 29 and pulling the de vice rearwardly to cause the roll 29 to roll over the label. after pulling the tail end of the label ot the ribbon Si. This .can bedone either before or after the handle 6 isfreleased but preferably before. To adjust the device toL- labels of different lengths the base plate 32 is replaced by a plate corresponding to the new label length as above described.

The aforesaid means for registering each label with the printer is claimed in the copending patent of Johrr Dudley, 3,116,686 granted January 7, 1964.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is' for the purpose of illustrationl only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. For printing labels mounted in succession on a rib bon at spaced intervals, a device comprising drive means for feeding the ribbon along a predetermined path step by step with pauses between steps, means adjacent saidY path for printing successive labels during said pauses re-f spectively, means for actuating saidv means conjointly inl synchronism, means'in advanceV of said printing means for' successively registering the labels with the printing reansf a guide between said registering means and printing nins to guide the ribbon'from the registering means to the: printing means along an angular path, a frame upon which? all of said means are mounted, andV a sub-frame detachably mounted on said frame, said guide being mounted on the sub-frame, lwhereby the distance between said registering means and printing means may be adjusted to labels of different lengths bysubstituting a sub-frame'having its guide in a different position so as to change the angularity of said angular path.

2. For printing labels mounted in succession on a ribbon at spaced intervals, a device comprising drive means for feeding the ribbon along a predetermined path step by step with pauses between steps, means adjacent said path for printing successive labels during said pauses respectively, a platen for said printing means, means for actuating said means conjointly in synchronism, means in advance of'said printing means lfor successively registering the labels with the printing means, a guide lbetween said registering means and printing means to guide the ribbon from the registering means to the printing means along an angular path, a frame upon which all of said means are mounted, and a sub-frame detachably mounted on said frame, said guide and'said platen being mounted on the sub-frame, whereby the device may be adjusted to labels of different `lengths by changing sub-frames.

3. For printing labels mounted in succession on a ribbon at spaced intervals, a device comprising drive means for feeding the ribbon along a predetermined path step by step with pauses between steps, means adjacent said path for printing successive labels during said pauses respectively, means for actuating said means conjointly in synchronism, means 4in advance of said printing means for successively registering the labels with the printing means, a guide between said registering means and printing means to guide the ribbon lfrom the registering means to the printing means along an angular path, a peeling edge beyond said printing means over which said ribbon is drawn to .peel it from the labels and project the labels successively, and an applicator roll beyond the peeling edge to apply each projecting label to an article, a frame upon which all of said means are mounted, and a subframe detachably mounted on said frame, said guide and peeling edge and applicator roll being mounted on thel sub-frame, whereby the device may be adjusted to labels of different lengths by changing sub-frames.

4. For printing labels mounted in succession on a ribbon at spaced intervals, a device comprising drive means for feeding the ribbon along a predetermined path step by step with pauses between steps, means adjacent said path for printing successive labels during said pauses respectively, a platen for said printing means, means for actuating said means conjointly in synchronism, means in advance of said printing means for successively registering the labels with the printing means, a guide between said registering means and printing means to guide the ribbon from the registering means to the .printing means along an angular path, a peeling edge beyond said printing means over which said ribbon is drawn to peel it from the labels and project the labels successively, and an applicator roll beyond the peeling edge to apply each projecting label to an article, a frame upon which all of said means are mounted, and a sub-frame detachably mounted on said frame, said guide and platen and peeling edge and applicator roll being mounted on the sub-frame, whereby the device may be adjusted to labels of diierent lengths by changing sub-frames.

5. For printing labels mounted in succession on a ribbon at spaced intervals, a cyclic device comprising drive means for frictionally pulling the ribbon along a predetermined path during the early .part of recurrent cycles with pauses during the latter part of each cycle, means adjacent said path for Iprinting successive labels during said pauses respectively, means for actuating said means conjointly in synchronism, stop means riding on said labels in advance of said printing means for successively registering the labels with the printing means, the stop means having a shoulder engageable with the leading edge of each label to cause said drive means to slip on the ribbon when a label reaches printing position, means to lift the stop from the ribbon at the end of each cycle so that the ribbon is free to advance again during the next cycle, a guide between said stop means and printing means to guide the ribbon from the stop means to the printing means along an angular path, a frame upon which all of said means are mounted, and a sub-frame detachably mounted on said frame, said guide being mounted on the sub-frame, whereby the distance between said stop means and printing means may be adjusted to labels of different lengths by substituting a sub-frame having its guide in a different position so as to change the angularity of said angular path.

6. For printing labels mounted in succession on a ribbon at spaced intervals, a cyclic device comprising drive means for frictionally pulling the ribbon along a predetermined path during the early part of recurrent cycles with pauses during the latter part of each cycle, means adjacent said path for printing successive labels during said Ipauses respectively, a platen for said printing means, means for actuating said means conjointly in synchronism, stop means riding on said labels in advance of said printing means for successively registering the labels with the printing means, the stop means having a shoulder engageable with the leading edge of each label to cause said drive means to slip on the ribbon when a label reaches printing position, means to lift the stop from the ribbon at the end of each cycle so that the ribbon is free to advance again during the next cycle, a guide between said stop means and printing means to guide the ribbon from the stop means to the printing means along an angular path, a frame upon which all of said means are mounted, and a sub-frame detachably mounted on said frame, said guide and platen being mounted on the sub-frame, whereby the device may be adjusted to labels of different lengths by changing subframes.

7. For printing labels mounted in succession on a ribbon at spaced intervals, a cyclic device comprising drive means for frictionally pulling the ribbon along a predetermined path during the early part of recurrent cycles with pauses during the latter part of each cycle, means adjacent said path for printing successive labels duning said pauses respectively, means for actuating said means conjointly in synchronism, stop means riding on said labels in advance of said printing means for successively registering the labels with the printing means, the stop means having a shoulder engageable with the leading edge of each label to cause said drive means to slip on the ribbon when a label reaches printing position, means to lift the stop from the ribbon at the end of each cycle so that the ribbon is free to advance again during the next cycle, a guide between said stop means and printing means to guide the ribbon from the stop means to the printing means along an angular path, a peeling edge beyond said printing means over which said ribbon is drawn to peel it from the labels and project the labels successively, and an applicator r-oll beyond the peeling edge to apply each projecting label to an article, a frame upon which all of said means are mounted, and a subframe detachably mounted on said frame, said guide and peeling edge and applicator roll being mounted on the sub-frame, whereby the distance between said stop means and printing means may be adjusted to labels of different lengths by substituting a sub-frame having its guide in a diterent position so as to change the angularity of said angular path.

8. For printing labels mounted in succession on a ribbon at spaced intervals, a cyclic device comprising drive means for frictionally pulling the ribbon along a predetermined path during the early part of recurrent cycles with pauses during the latter part of each cycle, means adjacent said path for printing successive labels during said pauses respectively, a platen for said printing means, means for actuating said means conjointly in synchronism, stop means riding on said labels in advance of said printing means for successively registering the labels with the printiing means, the stop means having a shoulder engageable with the leading edge of each label to cause said drive means to slip on the ribbon when a label reaches printing position, means to lift the stop from the ribbon at the end of each cycle so that the ribbon is free to advance again during the next cycle, a guide between said stop means and printing means to guide the ribbon from the stop means to the printing means along an angular path, a peeling edge beyond said printing means over which said ribbon is drawn to peel it from the labels and project the labels successively, and an applicator roll beyond the peeling edge to apply each projecting label to an article, a frame upon which all of said means are mounted, and a sub-frame detachably mounted on said frame, said guide and platen and peeling edge and applicator roll being mounted on the sub-frame, whereby the distance between said stop means and printing means may be adjusted to labels of different lengths by substituting a sub-frame having its guide in a different position so as to change the angularity of said angular path.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.373,092 4/1945 Avery 156-344 2,656,063 10/ 1953 Kafka 156-384 2,754,994 7/ 1956 Cole 156-584 2,946,281 7/1960 Sohn 156-384 ALEXANDER WYMAN, Primary Examiner.

HAROLD ANSHER, Examiner. 

1. FOR PRINTING LABELS MOUNTED IN SUCCESSION ON A RIBBON AT SPACED INTERVALS, A DEVICE COMPRISING DRIVE MEANS FOR FEEDING THE RIBBON ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH STEP BY STEP WITH PAUSES BETWEEN STEPS, MEANS ADJACENT SAID PATH FOR PRINTING SUCCESSIVE LABELS DURING SAID PAUSES RESPECTIVELY, MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID MEANS CONJOINTLY IN SYNCHRONISM, MEANS IN ADVANCE OF SAID PRINTING MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY REGISTERING THE LABELS WITH THE PRINTING MEANS, A GUIDE BETWEEN SAID REGISTERING MEANS AND PRINTING MEANS TO GUIDE THE RIBBON FROM THE REGISTERING MEANS TO THE PRINTING MEANS ALONG AN ANGULAR PATH, A FRAME UPON WHICH ALL OF SAID MEANS ARE MOUNTED, AND A SUB-FRAME DETACHABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID GUIDE BEING MOUNTED ON THE SUB-FRAME, WHEREBY THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID REGISTERING MEANS AND PRINTING MEANS MAY BE ADJUSTED TO LABELS OF DIFFERENT LENGTHS BY SUBSTITUTING A SUB-FRAME HAVING ITS GUIDE IN A DIFFERENT POSITION SO AS TO CHANGE THE ANGULARITY OF SAID ANGULAR PATH. 